Written Answers Nos. 65-84
65. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of broadband connection points installed in each county and the total number of schools installed by National Broadband Ireland in each county, in tabular form. [36999/23]
View answerStrategic Connection Points (SCPs) are a key element of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) providing high-speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network.
As of 14 July 2023, 943 SCP sites (283 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 660 schools) have been installed and the high-speed broadband service is delivered in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs.
Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high-speed broadband, within the Intervention Area.
Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
66. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the information being given out to the public about what the alternative technologies are for those who are on the National Broadband Plan scheme but who will wait for a number of years before they are connected; if there has been engagement with ComReg on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37156/23]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract was awarded following a detailed and comprehensive procurement process. In line with State Aid Guidelines, the procurement process was technology neutral meaning that the process did not specify a preferred technology.
National and international expertise points to a fibre-based solution as being the most economical way to address all premises with a future proofed solution over the 25-year term of the NBP Contract.
In terms of whether alternative technology could be used in remote regions of the NBP intervention area, the NBP Contract allows National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to explore alternative technologies, if they are deemed necessary to assist delivery of the contract requirements. However NBI must ensure that any alternative technologies employed do not negatively impact on having a reliable and robust network available for all premises within the Intervention Area and that minimum contracted speeds are achieved.
The recent enactment of the Communications Regulation and Digital Hub Development Agency (Amendment) Act 2023 provides the State the power to set out a minimum standard for adequate broadband which must be made available to all premises. This obligation is considered an additional safeguard to protect citizens where commercial operators might otherwise fail to deliver.
A project group is currently being established with ComReg to progress the development of this Universal Service Obligation. It is expected to provide recommendations to me during 2024.
67. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to review the microgeneration scheme. [35603/23]
View answerThe Solar PV grant scheme under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The scheme came into operation in February 2022 and built on the success of the previous pilot version of the grant scheme.
In 2022, the SEAI received 16,819 applications to the Domestic Solar PV programme, which resulted in grant support for 10,018 homes, at a cost of €24.4m and a total installed capacity of 46.5 MW. This indicates an average installation size of 4.6kW. This is a significant increase from 2021 when 4,077 homes received grant support, with 16.3 MW capacity installed. Moreover, current projections for 2023 indicate an even higher level of applications will be supported.
While this high level of interest indicates that the current design of the MSS is working well, its operation and effectiveness will be kept under review by my department and adjustments made where necessary. One such review and adjustment was approved on July 4th of this year, when Government approved amendments to the existing Non-Domestic Microgeneration Scheme, operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to extend supports to a significantly wider range of businesses and non-domestic applicants.
Additionally, on the 5th of April 2023 the Government approved an amendment to Finance Bill 2023 to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the ‘Supply and installation of solar panels on domestic premises.”
Both of these measures have significantly improved the affordability of installing solar PV systems for homes, businesses and community organisations; providing more opportunities for those cohorts to be part of Ireland’s energy transition.
68. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he intends to approve the pension increase due to An Post pensioners this year; his views on whether it now needs to match the rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35629/23]
View answer69. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will sign-off on agreed pensionincreases (details supplied). [35681/23]
View answer78. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline for authorisation of an increase to the An Post superannuation scheme; when he will make a request to the Minister for Public Expenditure to do same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36029/23]
View answer144. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the proposed pay and pension increase for An Post workers; and when current and former An Post employees can expect to receive these increases. [37112/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 69, 78 and 144 together.
On 9 March 2023 An Post wrote to my Department seeking consent to the second phase of their current pay agreement which provides for a 2% increase in pay from 1st January 2023. In addition to this, on foot of a recent Labour Court decision, An Post also wrote to my Department on 9 March seeking approval to make increases to pensions in payment and deferred pensions of a 5% increase from 1 January 2022 and a 1% increase from 1 July 2023.
In accordance with the relevant Code of Practice from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, An Post must seek Ministerial approval to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. As per Circular 16/2021, all such proposals require NewERA’s views, as well as a business case setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for the proposed increase. Circular 16/2021 states that pension approval requests should be submitted for approval well in advance of any decision to implement changes in acknowledgement of the necessary processes that must be completed and in order to ensure that pension increases are not unduly delayed. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
Following receipt of the requests and associated documentation in recent weeks and months from An Post, the standard process is now being followed, with NewERA’s views and assessment by officials being required prior to the consent of both Ministers being sought.
Consideration of the consent requests is well advanced and a report from NewERA was submitted on 29 June. The two Shareholding Departments will now expedite consideration of the matter in consultation with the Company. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded.
70. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 15 June 2023, to ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on progress to develop a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme; when he expects the scheme to be in place; what the lending portfolio will be; how it will be resourced; what the guarantee structure will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35735/23]
View answerMy Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund to develop a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme, which will be backed by a counter guarantee provided by the EIB Group.
The residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme will be the first consumer-focused guaranteed loan of its kind in Ireland. The roll-out of the loan scheme is a key action of the Climate Action Plan 2023 and the National Retrofit Plan. The National Retrofit Plan is regarded as one of the most ambitious in Europe and is backed by an unprecedented €8 billion of National Development Plan funding. The proposed loan scheme will have a lending portfolio of approximately €500 million.
The loan guarantee will provide risk protection to retail credit institutions participating in the scheme and will enable credit institutions to offer loans of up to €50,000 with reduced interest rates to private homeowners and non-corporate landlords. This will make comprehensive home energy upgrades more affordable for householders and will assist Ireland to achieve our climate goals.
Further, it will signal to the banking sector, new sustainable business opportunities associated with retrofit and the transition to a low carbon economy as well as increasing the volume of retrofit activity within the State. Significant progress has been made to date, with two open calls for expressions of interest to participate in the scheme completed, and a number of banks and credit unions submitting formal expressions of interest.
The development of this innovative scheme is a complex process involving several stakeholders. Intensive engagement to develop the scheme is ongoing and there has been extensive due diligence between the EIB Group and the Irish banking and credit union sector. All stakeholders both at national and European level are committed to finalising the project and in order for the loan guarantee will be in place in Q3 2023.
71. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he agrees that Ireland should withdraw fully from the Energy Charter Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35766/23]
View answer84. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update in relation to Ireland’s withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36148/23]
View answer131. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that the provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty are constitutional; if Ireland intends to withdraw from the treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36882/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 84 and 131 together.
I have publicly stated that the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is not fit for purpose and needs to have fossil fuels removed. The ECT modernisation has not progressed adequately so far. Europe has, as a whole, signalled a full exit now that modernisation was not possible. The removal of fossil fuels and elimination or reduction of the sunset clause were key asks for Ireland as part of the modernisation process.
Ireland has signalled its intent to leave but wants to do so in a coordinated way with European colleagues. Ireland has expressed strong views within the EU on the compatibility of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Energy Charter Treaty’s dispute resolution mechanism. We continue to express our strong views within the EU on these issues and we believe that our views carry more weight in international negotiations by advocating them as part of the European Union.
My Department is engaging as necessary with the Attorney General's Office on legal issues relating to the Energy Charter Treaty.
72. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail all funding that is available for the cleaning and dredging of rivers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35805/23]
View answerThe matters raised by the Deputy are not within the remit of my Department or Inland Fisheries Ireland. I understand that they may relate to the functions of Local Authorities and the Office of Public Works.
73. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action his Department has taken to honour the Programme for Government pledge to ensure that Government Departments and public bodies take positive steps, including the use of correct pronouns and, where possible, making improvements on official forms, to assist non-binary people. [35827/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all colleagues, stakeholders, and citizens. Our Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 23, is underpinned by the values set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan. A key action arising from this is our corporate strategy 'Ag Obair Le Chéile' which aims to develop our people, culture and organisation.
As part of Ag Obair le Chéile, my Department has developed an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan that will be launched by the end of the month. The strategy and action plan aims to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace recognising all protected characteristics. One of the commitments under the action plan includes a commitment to develop a gender identity and expression policy for staff.
74. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the use of sulphur hexafluoride also known as SF6, in the switch gears of wind turbines; if he is aware of its description as one of the world's most potent greenhouse gases; if he plans to ban the use of this greenhouse gas in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35859/23]
View answerF-gases consist of emissions of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) and Nitrogen trifluoride (NF 3). Emissions from F-gases have decreased by 14.5% from 2019 to 2020, following a decrease of 1.4% in 2019. These decreases are mainly due to changes in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector where high global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbons are being phased out in favour of low-GWP alternatives.
SF6 is used in electricity distribution networks, semiconductor manufacture and several other areas, often in appliances where suitable alternatives are not currently available or would be cost prohibitive to replace. Management of SF6 is subject to training requirements and equipment bans in order to reduce emissions and only qualified personnel are permitted to install and maintain equipment
F-gases are currently managed at the EU level through Regulation (EU) Number 517/2014 which controls use, training, quotas and illegal trade. This regulation is currently under review. The EU proposes to further regulate to raise ambition regarding the phase-down in the use of F-gases, which will facilitate Ireland, and the EU as a whole, in meeting our climate commitments in the coming years.
75. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the calls by the group of unions at a mine (details supplied) for a review of the annual royalties regime as it relates to production; if he is prepared to review and consider a temporary suspension or postponement as a means to support the early return to production at the mine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36009/23]
View answer76. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if as Minister with responsibility for minerals policy he will meet trade unions that represent the workers at a mine (details supplied) about the future of the mine and related matters; if his Department will engage with the unions and other relevant departments and agencies on the proposition of a taskforce to consider the future of the mine and with a focus on 'Tara Deep'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36010/23]
View answer77. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of correspondence between an individual representing an important sectoral interest (details supplied) which raises important matters in relation to a company and his Department's function in respect of minerals policy; if his officials will engage more formally with the body on the issues laid out in correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36011/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, together.
I understand that Boliden Tara Mines has, with Trades Union agreement, and to protect the long-term viability of its mine at Navan, made a commercial decision to suspend mining operations and enter a care and maintenance period at the mine. This has principally been due to increases in energy prices and current prices for zinc on international markets.
I am conscious of the impact this development will have on the mine's workers and those of other companies who supply services to the mine, their families and community. My Department continues to engage with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which, I am informed, continues to engage with the company to discuss what assistance can be provided to introduce efficiencies and reduce costs, including energy costs, within State Aid parameters. This is with a view to reopening the mine as soon as it is financially viable to do so.
With regard to the potential for the deferral of mining royalties, if the company in question made a direct request for deferral, that would be dealt with in the first instance by the Geoscience Regulation Office, with any decision by me as Minister being made with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, in line with the relevant mining lease.
79. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if will he consider extending the deadline date for works to be completed under the initial just transition funding. [36060/23]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 124 of 15 June 2023.
As I set out in reply to that question, my Department is committed to engaging constructively with any project that has notified delays in their implementation to identify practical solutions in order to ensure completion of projects in a timely manner. My Department will consider requests for limited extensions on a case-by-case basis if additional time is required to complete a project.
My Department remains committed to supporting the successful delivery of projects supported by the National Just Transition Fund. However, the Department must remain satisfied that the project is capable of being completed within a reasonable timeframe.
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80. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons can apply for grant aid to the SEAI for upgrade works on a phased basis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36079/23]
View answerIn February 2022, Government launched a package of SEAI supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s National Retrofit Plan. These measures are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions. Partial grants are available for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty.
Homes, built and occupied pre-2011 (pre-2021 for heat pumps and Solar PV) and owned by private homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies are eligible to apply for grant support under the SEAI Residential and Community Energy Upgrade schemes.
As part of these enhanced supports, increased grant rates are available across SEAI administered schemes: the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is available for homeowners wishing to avail of the complete home energy upgrade service provided through the one stop shops; the Community Energy Grant is available for homeowners seeking to carry out their deep retrofit as part of a community project; and the Better Energy Homes facilitates homeowners wishing to undertake a deep retrofit through a step-by-step approach and apply to SEAI for grant support on a phased basis. The range of schemes available allows homeowners to choose the best home upgrade option to suit their particular needs.
It is important to note that while there is a range of grant supports offered across all of the SEAI residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes, a number of other measures are available to homeowners undertaking a deep retrofit under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme or the Community Energy Grant Scheme. These grant supports include windows and/or door upgrades; floor insulation; mechanical ventilation; and air tightness. They are available to homeowners completing a whole home energy upgrade as such measures might be deemed, through the home energy survey and assessment, as required upgrades to ensure that a home achieves a B2 rating or is suitable for installation of a heat pump.
81. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a further round of the circular economy innovation grant scheme is expected; and if so, when a call for applications will open. [36136/23]
View answerThe Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS), administered by my Department, directly supports the growth of the circular economy in Ireland via a competitive funding process. In 2021, 10 projects were initially selected to benefit from a total funding pot of €490,000. Ultimately 2 of those projects could not proceed, and no public expenditure was incurred in relation to either.
A second funding call was launched in 2022, with total available funding set at €650,000. The 2022 funding call closed in December; 13 projects were selected and announced at Circular Economy Hotspot Dublin 2023.
The Circular Economy Strategy further commits to increasing per annum funding under the grant scheme to €1 million by 2024. It is intended that a third call will be launched before the end of this year.
82. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the meeting with EU Energy Ministers in Valladolid on 11 July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36146/23]
View answer83. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Energy Charter Treaty was discussed at the meeting with EU Energy Ministers in Valladolid on 11 July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36147/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together.
The informal meeting of EU energy ministers in Valladolid addressed two of the main challenges of this European Semester: open strategic autonomy and the development of an integrated and digitalised internal energy market. The Energy Charter Treaty was not discussed at the meeting as it was not on the agenda.
